Chapter Heading
Luke 10: The 72. Good Samaritan. Martha & Mary
General Outline
1-9. The 72 sent
10-16. The rejection of Christ’s messengers
17-20. The 72 return
21-24. Hidden by the Father, revealed in the Son
25-37. The Good Samaritan
38-42. Martha & Mary
Brief Summary
Now Jesus appoints & sends 72 more disciples as His ministers: healing & preaching. Jesus makes it clear: those who reject His servants reject Him, and incur wrath (Lk 10:11-16). The 72 return and rejoice that when they encountered demons, they were able to cast them out, but Jesus tells them to rejoice that their “names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20). Jesus then rejoices that in the faith & revelation that the Father has given to the disciples. In response to the question: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus is the man’s neighbor, i.e., Jesus is your good neighbor who saw you dead in the ditch and saved you. Go and do likewise is the application to the Christian. Martha works, Mary listens. Mary has treasured the one thing needful in the life of the Church: the Word preached. His Word will not be taken away, nor will fade away while everything else will (→Isa 40.7-8). Amen!